Health – Black America Webhttp://blackamericaweb.com
Entertainment, News and Lifestyle for African AmericansSat, 10 Dec 2016 01:22:30 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/You Are What You Eathttp://blackamericaweb.com/2016/07/27/you-are-what-you-eat-2/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/07/27/you-are-what-you-eat-2/#respondThu, 28 Jul 2016 03:23:44 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=526426Ever wonder if that statement is true? Believe me. It is. Working hard for 30 minutes in the gym won’t delete that burger and fries you had for lunch! Eating Healthy will.

Numbers Tell the Story

An average, intense workout with plenty of hard breathing and sweat burns 300-400 calories per hour. You finish your hour and figure you’ve earned a trip to Krispy Kreme. In the 3 minutes it takes you to eat 2 chocolate-frosted doughnuts, 720 calories went into your body. Not only did you blow all your hard work at the gym, but also you just packed on an additional 400 calories.

Don’t think that just because you don’t have a sweet tooth, you get a free ride. Let’s go back to the gym where you ran off 600 calories on the treadmill – the 600 calories took an hour to lose at 10 miles an hour, which is running fast. Ten minutes, 4 slices of pizza, and a soft drink later, you’ve packed in 900 – 1,000 calories.

Were those doughnuts or slices of pizza worth it?

Look Super in Anything or Nothing

An unhealthy diet and exercise aren’t equal in the ring. Exercise always loses. Don’t get me wrong, exercise is important! But to gain and maintain that lean, healthy, and sexy body you want is to eat healthy and exercise. The only way to beat the fat is to eat fewer calories than you burn!

T.J. McCord is a fitness trainer and performance enhancement specialist based out of Mobile, AL. He believes that there are no limitations on the human body when creating innovative programs for his clients. Be sure to visitwww.quikfits.comfor more information, programs, and tips.

You spent the winter working hard. You exercised consistently. You ate healthy foods and watched your portion sizes. You greeted summer with energy and a toned, healthy body. Don’t give in to temptation!

Summer brings relaxation and fun, but it can be cruel when it comes to fitness. Summer is an easy time to overindulge—ice cream, icy cold beer, grilled burgers and steaks—and pick up extra pounds quickly.

Do you really want to undo all you have accomplished?

Bad habits creep up on us without warning: Skip workouts a couple of days each week and hit the beach or one get together after another, or overindulged in dips and chips, frozen margaritas, grilled hot dogs with friends.

Change happen one choice at a time, but those choices pack on the pounds quickly.

There is a lot of summer left, particularly in the Deep South where we live, so grab your commitment and regain any ground you may have lost.

Get back to awesome!

1. Disrupted sleep cycle. Summer brings longer days and more daylight. The extra sunshine influences our circadian rhythms, so we sleep less. Lack of adequate sleep will pack on extra pounds. When we’re tired, our resistance to bad habits weakens. We need to get at least seven hours of sleep each night to stay on track and keep our bodies healthy.

2. It’s hot out there. We move around less when it’s hot and humid. Our energy is depleted and who wants to sweat like crazy? The less we move, the slower our metabolism and the fewer calories we burn. It’s important to continue to exercise to maintain your health and look great! Try alternatives with indoor exercise like boot camp classes or take up swimming. Keep moving. CAUTION If you exercise outside, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate or you will damage your body and might pass out.

3. On the road. Summer means travel. Travel means healthy eating is harder. For those who eat clean, being on the road can present new challenges. Planning is the key to maintaining! Brainstorm ways to avoid a lot of fast food. Pack a cooler with lean proteins like veggies, chicken, low- fat cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit, hummus, and nuts.

4. Cookouts. Parties, friends, reunions. They all spell DANGER! Most festive foods are unhealthy. It seems the menus are planned to help us gain weight.Pass on the oily salad dressing, hot dogs, chips, potato salad, and ice cream. Head to the fresh fruit, grilled veggies, lean meats, and light dressings for salads.

Avoid the Summer Creepers!

Think before you eat.

Finish the summer looking and feeling good!

Fight the urge to splurge.

Your fall wardrobe will thank you!

T.J. McCord is a fitness trainer and performance enhancement specialist based out of Mobile, AL. He believes that there are no limitations on the human body when creating innovative programs for his clients. Be sure to visitwww.quikfits.comfor more information, programs, and tips.

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/07/04/say-no-to-summer-weight-gain/feed/0woman-running-stretching.jpgbawjazminependletonwoman-running-stretching.jpg#BAWFitness: Be a Fitness Warrior!http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/05/19/be-a-fitness-warrior/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/05/19/be-a-fitness-warrior/#respondThu, 19 May 2016 19:43:10 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=507510On the last Monday of May, we celebrate Memorial Day. This American holiday began as a way of honoring all the men and women who died during the Civil War, but eventually, it was the day we honor all soldiers of all wars who fought to keep the United States free.

Memorial Day is the special day we pause to consider all we owe these brave men and women who gave their lives or were wounded in the defense our freedom and kept the United States a free, democratic country, a luxury we too often take for granted. Similar to the fish who doesn’t realize that not all things live in water, we sometimes forget to be thankful for the magnitude of the many privileges and freedoms we have.

It takes warriors to build a country where freedom is the rule, rather than the exception. Memorial Day is a time to honor those wounded warriors who have made our lives of freedom possible. We can honor those wounded warriors every day by seeking to emulate their courage to fight against destructive forces.

Warriors Fight

What happens when an enemy is not confronted and defeated? They win and the noble cause suffers. Are you a warrior? Do you know your enemy?

The daily enemy for most of us is a typical, unhealthy lifestyle. Make No Mistake: it is deadly.

It is hard to recognize. Just like the water surrounding the fish, the status quo becomes common and we live it with little contemplation. Of course, we eat dessert after dinner. Of course, we grab a doughnut on the way to work. Of course, we do not exercise. Of course, we are overweight. Isn’t everyone? Unfortunately, yes. Nearly everyone is overweight.

It leads to illness, early disability, and death. Follow the status quo and grow tired, weak, sick and in pain. It gets worse with each passing year and ends with dependence on others.

What are you waiting for? Get up and fight! Memorial Day is the perfect day to begin fighting the status quo. Resist the roar of unhealthy eating. Resist the call of no exercise. Press forward with determination. It won’t be easy at first. It won’t be fun at first. BUT – it will be soon. Most important, it will give you energy, vitality, strength, and mental clarity, your new Normal!

Quikfits creates warriors! Join un and set a new course for your life. Good riddance to the past. Focus on the future.

T.J. McCord is a fitness trainer and performance enhancement specialist based out of Mobile, AL. He believes that there are no limitations on the human body when creating innovative programs for his clients. Be sure to visitwww.quikfits.comfor more information, programs, and tips.

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/05/19/be-a-fitness-warrior/feed/0FL78190.TIFbawjazminependleton#BAWFitness: Mom, You Deserve To Look Good And Feel Good!http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/05/06/bawfitness-mom-you-deserve-to-look-good-and-feel-good/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/05/06/bawfitness-mom-you-deserve-to-look-good-and-feel-good/#respondFri, 06 May 2016 13:40:51 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=503803

If you are trapped in the cycle of “one dayitis”: One day I will eat healthy. One day I will lose weight. One day, I will take care of myself. Today is the day you change one day to today.

~ Put Joy back in Your Life with Optimum Health ~

With all the things you do for others, we understand it’s hard to find time for yourself. This Mother’s Day, your special day, give yourself a gift. Lose the guilt that spending time on yourself is time you “should” spend on someone else. You are the most important person in the life of your family!

Quit shortchanging yourself! Quit shortchanging them! Once your health starts declining, you will have no choice but to focus on yourself, but by then, the focus will take three times as long, be three times harder, and cost three times more.

Wouldn’t you rather know what it feels like to be fit and full of energy right now?

Break the Habit!

You’re right. It is hard to start. Guess what? That’s the hardest part because:

You’ve tried before and failed. The past is the past. This time, you won’t be doing it alone. Quikfits will be there to help you look forward and not backward.

You have no idea when you will find time to exercise. Quikfits will help you. We will walk you through every step.

Life-changing eating patterns are totally undesirable right now.

If some of us can do it, so can you. Once you get a taste of energy and vitality eating clean brings to your life, you won’t want to go back.

Waiting is Dangerous

While you stall about taking your health seriously, the more damage your body is suffering.

Whether you are 20 or 70, the only way to reverse the effects of aging is eat sensibly and exercise regularly! Sounds so simple and is so hard to get started. We all know that old habits are hard to break. But you need to know: it is possible! Quikfits wants to help you!

Avoid these 4 Big Problems with clean eating and regular exercise

Avoid the number one killer of women – heart disease

Avoid osteoporosis and the pain of fractured bones

Avoid high blood pressure

Avoid weak knees and reduce aches and pains

Whether you want to run a marathon (regardless of your age) or walk around the block without wheezing, make your dream a reality!

Join thousands of women like you who are getting healthy. Quikfits is ready to help you! Mother’s Day of 2016 will see a healthier and more vibrant you!

T.J. McCord is a fitness trainer and performance enhancement specialist based out of Mobile, AL. He believes that there are no limitations on the human body when creating innovative programs for his clients. Be sure to visitwww.quikfits.comfor more information, programs, and tips.

(Photo: Thinkstock)

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/05/06/bawfitness-mom-you-deserve-to-look-good-and-feel-good/feed/0ThinkstockPhotos-84468590- Mother-Mom-Babybawjazminependleton#BAWFitness: Daylight Savings Time and Fitnesshttp://blackamericaweb.com/2016/03/17/bawfitness-daylight-savings-time-and-fitness/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/03/17/bawfitness-daylight-savings-time-and-fitness/#respondThu, 17 Mar 2016 16:40:31 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=489560On Sunday, March 13, 2016, our clocks “sprung forward” in observance of Daylight Saving Time. Instead of complaining about a lost hour of sleep, take advantage of that precious hour and improve your health and overall fitness.

When most of us lie on a hot beach or work outside in the sun, we get sleepy – that’s melatonin working, trying to slow us down. Too much melatonin also leads some people to feel depressed. On the other hand, serotonin boosts mood and energy. In climates with long, dark, winter months, winter depression is found frequently. There is a direct to the lack of sunlight, which reduces the amount of the hormone serotonin and melatonin takes over, producing sleepiness and
depression.

Spring and summer brings more sunlight and thus, more serotonin and more energy. You also produce less melatonin, so you feel less depressed. When fall and winter change that dynamic, your body produces less serotonin and more melatonin; and you guessed it, less energy and more sleepiness. We want to hibernate. The results for some people are a significant shift in emotions and energy, and we are motivated to follow out fitness routines and eat healthier.

Savor the Longer Days and Extra Sunlight

• Does this sound like your winter?
• Struggled to work out
• Slumped in motivation to follow a fitness schedule
• Languished with resolutions to get healthy
• Fought fatigue with less daylight
• Spent the holidays and the following months wishing you were working out
• Ate everything you planned not to eat

Long-term fitness is the result of a fitness routine that you stick to religiously. Once a habit becomes part of your life, it’s easier to stay in shape, even when motivation and energy drop occasionally — particularly in fall and winter.

That Hour is All Yours

The hour that spring special delivers to you is a gift. As the days lengthen, you will have more time and energy to get back into your nutrition and fitness plans. The increase in serotonin in your body is going to boost your mood and energy, motivating you.

Get serious about your routine, and when fall rolls around in six months, your unhealthy lifestyle will be only a memory. Your solid fitness habit will bolster you through the dark winter days when your energy and motivation slow down. You will finish the winter strong!

Remember I am here to help with your fitness goals!

T.J. McCord is a fitness trainer and performance enhancement specialist based out of Mobile, AL. He believes that there are no limitations on the human body when creating innovative programs for his clients. Be sure to visitwww.quikfits.comfor more information, programs, and tips.

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/03/17/bawfitness-daylight-savings-time-and-fitness/feed/0Young beautiful african fitness woman doing push up exercises onbawjazminependleton#BAWFitness: What Motivates You?http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/01/11/bawfitness-what-motivates-you/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/01/11/bawfitness-what-motivates-you/#respondMon, 11 Jan 2016 17:26:44 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=469651Studies show that nearly 50% of people who begin an exercise program drop out within the first 6 months. What is it about sticking to a fitness routine that is so filled with failure?

Motivation is the answer. Human psychology has proven that if someone wants something badly enough, they will do everything they can to achieve it. How badly – really badly – do you want to change?

Unlocking Your Motivation

You do not have to be part of that 50 percent who quit. You can stay start a fitness program and finish strong. Your challenge is to find out what motivates you to get serious about fitness and stick with it. Maybe one of these is what you want to achieve.

Get Healthy and Stay Healthy. Guess what happens with consistent exercise and healthy eating?

Your heart gets strong.

The risk of numerous cancers in your body disappears.

Diabetes is avoided.

Your mind stays sharp.

Dementia is far less likely.

Common ailments seen with aging don’t happen to you.

Look better. Let’s face it. We all care about how we look. Strong, healthy people just look good and not just physically. A healthy person’s attitude is more confident. They are more energetic and comfortable in their bodies.

Relieve Stress. Exercise causes physical changes in both our brains and nervous systems, which result in feelings of well-being, a sense of calmness. Don’t be surprised if you get hooked on the improved mental outcome of exercise and crave it!

Grow Stronger. Focused weight training will totally transform you within just a few weeks. Eliminate that pain and strain when you bend over to pick something up! Building core strength and balance significantly reduces the risk of age-related falls and fractures because you have the balance to keep yourself stable.

Discover the Power. Take the time to discover what powerful motivator works for your. Bribe yourself to get moving. What makes the discipline of exercise worth it to you? What do you want more than your want another double hamburger with fries? What do you want more than feeling unbalanced and in pain? Avoiding exercise places your life at stake. Any age, any gender can profit from a fitness program. Join us in one of our fitness classes or call me for a personal training consultation.

T.J. McCord is a fitness trainer and performance enhancement specialist based out of Mobile, AL. He believes that there are no limitations on the human body when creating innovative programs for his clients. Be sure to visit www.quikfits.com for more information, programs, and tips.

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/01/11/bawfitness-what-motivates-you/feed/0Thinkstock-Black-Woman-Exercising-Elipticalbawjazminependleton#BAWFitness: A Strong Core Will Decrease Back Pain [PHOTOS]http://blackamericaweb.com/2015/12/01/bawfitness-a-strong-core-will-decrease-back-pain-photos/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2015/12/01/bawfitness-a-strong-core-will-decrease-back-pain-photos/#commentsTue, 01 Dec 2015 14:37:39 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=457920As a fitness trainer, I often hear my clients complain about lower back issues when performing abdomen exercises. This pain can occur for many reasons such as a weak core. Your core muscles consist of your abdomen, back, and pelvis. Poor posture, incorrect lifting technique, and carrying around a GUT can all cause lower lumbar pain.

Most people stop working out after experiencing even slight back pain, but that is not the solution. Most back pain goes away with conservative care, which includes rest, ice alternating with heat, and over-the-counter medicine. However, if pain the is severe, I recommend stopping your routine and seeing your physician; otherwise, consider following the movements and exercises.

Having a strong core musculature stabilizes and braces the spine to reduce injury. Although there are many exercises to help strengthen your core and back, there are also exercises to avoid. Sit-ups are not a good idea. Leg presses, deadlifts, military presses, and lunges with the load on the shoulders may also worsen the pain.

One key to improve back pain is to maintain good posture at all times: working out, sitting at your desk, or standing for long periods. Maintaining good posture decreases back pain and allows your lat muscles to stabilize your spine. Physicians recommend observing your sleeping position and repositioning as needed.

Sleeping on your side in a fetal position on a firm comfortable mattress reduces stress on your back. Adding a pillow between your legs will help take stress off your hips. The worst sleeping position when you have back pain is lying on your stomach, because it exaggerates your spinal arch and may cause strain. Consult with a health care professional, trainer, physician, or physical therapist, before doing any exercise for back pain. With their approval, try these exercises to strengthen your core and reduce back pain.

CORE EXERCISES FOR BACK PAIN

Make sure you warm up at least 8-10 minutes before performing any exercise routine. Warm up
with jump roping, cycling, or dynamic stretching. STRETCH. STRETCH. STRETCH after
workouts, after getting out of the shower, and before bed. Tight muscles are often responsible
for lower back pain, so stretching while your muscles are warm helps loosen them up. Add the
exercises below to your ab routine to begin strengthening your core.

Proper Crunches
Lie on your back flat on the floor. Raise your feet so that your knees are at a 90-degree angle.
Rotate your pelvis forward pressing your lower back into the floor. Place your hands behind your
head with your fingertips lightly touching and elbows back. Make sure your chin is not tucked
and there is a fist worth of space between your chest and chin. Raise your shoulders off the
ground until your entire abdomen is contracted.

Bird Dogs:
Get on all fours and tighten your abdominal muscles, keeping your spine and neck in a neutral
position; you should be looking at the floor. Slowly extend your left leg behind you while reaching
your right arm forward.

Hip Bridges:
Lay down flat on your back. Position your feet flat on the ground, fold your legs so your knees
are in a bent position, and raise your toes. Place your hands on your sides flat on the floor.
Raise your hips as high as possible squeezing your glutes, hamstrings, and your core. Lower
your hips and repeat the movement before allowing your hips to meet the floor completely.

Modified Side Planks:
Lay on your left or right side with your bottom leg bent. Raise up on your forearm, making sure
your shoulder is directly over your elbow. Raise your hips contracting your core. Hold it as long
as you can.

Superman:
To begin, lie straight and face down on the floor. Your arms should be fully extended in front of
you. This is the starting position. Simultaneously raise your arms, legs, and chest off the floor
and hold this contraction for 2 seconds. Squeeze your lower back to get the best results from
this exercise. Remember to exhale during this movement. When holding the contracted position,
you should look like superman when he is flying. While inhaling, slowly lower your arms, legs,
and chest back down to the starting position.

Do you have fitness questions? Leave your questions in the comment section below or post them on social media with #BAWFitness.

T.J. McCord is a fitness trainer and performance enhancement specialist based out of Mobile, AL. He believes that there are no limitations on the human body when creating innovative programs for his clients.

[ione_media_gallery id="114897" overlay="true"]]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2015/12/01/bawfitness-a-strong-core-will-decrease-back-pain-photos/feed/1CROSSPOSTED-BACK-BDObawjazminependletonTJ-1TJ-2TJ - 3TJ-5TJ-4This Just In: Stress Can Double The Risk Of Infertility For Womenhttp://blackamericaweb.com/2014/03/25/this-just-in-stress-can-double-the-risk-of-infertility-for-women/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2014/03/25/this-just-in-stress-can-double-the-risk-of-infertility-for-women/#commentsTue, 25 Mar 2014 12:01:52 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=232563Too much stress can double the risk of infertility in women, scientists have found.

Researchers said those who displayed high levels of stress were half as likely to conceive within a year. They suggested that simple relaxation methods such as going for a daily 20-minute walk may increase the chance of becoming pregnant.

The links between stress hormones and a reduced probability of falling pregnant were established by scientists in 2010 but the latest study is the first to find that emotional and mental strains can cause infertility, which is clinically defined as not conceiving within 12 months of trying.

The American scientists tracked 501 couples for a year and measured their levels of alpha-amylase, an enzyme in saliva that indicates stress. Women with high levels were 29% less likely to get pregnant each month than those with low levels, the researchers found.

Dr Allan Pacey, fertility expert at the University of Sheffield says, “couples attempting to conceive are often concerned about their lifestyle and whether stress might influence their ability to conceive. It is often apparent that couples worrying about their stress can then become more stressed because they are worrying about being stressed.”

What do you think those trying to conceive can do to help their changes? What methods have you tried?

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2014/03/25/this-just-in-stress-can-double-the-risk-of-infertility-for-women/feed/1stress660.jpgbawkrystalfranklinDr. Kimberly Bates Says Getting Healthy Starts at Homehttp://blackamericaweb.com/2014/02/12/dr-kimberly-bates-wants-you-to-get-serious-about-preventative-health-screenings/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2014/02/12/dr-kimberly-bates-wants-you-to-get-serious-about-preventative-health-screenings/#commentsWed, 12 Feb 2014 10:02:16 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=216022Many people avoid going to the doctor but Dr. Kimberly Bates, Internist and Pediatrician from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, wants you to know one quick trip to the hospital can save your life!

How? Bates says preventative screenings and making lifestyle changes are invaluable activities that can greatly impact your overall health. Listen to her full interview below.

What are some natural ways to control blood sugar levels ??
The best way to control blood sugars is with exercise, which allows your body to use blood sugar better. Supplements such as cinnamon have been shown to help with blood sugar also.

When should fibroids be a concern?
Fibroids are common and are usually a problem when they cause heavy periods. They can be a cause of severe low blood count which is called anemia. Also, if they are painful, they should be treated.

Mercury-Should we be tested for it?
Most persons are not at risk for mercury poisoning, so testing is not recommended.

I have real bad cramps,they feel like contractions. Should it be something I am concerned about?
There are many reasons for abdominal cramps. Some of them are serious and some are not. If you have frequent abdominal pains, I would recommend being seen by your doctor to find out the cause.

I have just been diagnosed with kidney stones; what can I do to pass them?
Most stones are calcium containing stones. Decreasing your intake of calcium supplements (if you take them) or things like milk or calcium fortified orange juice can help. Also drinking large volumes of water (at least 8-10 oz per day) with lemon juice can help them resolve.

As the grandparents how do I convince the parents. That the child needs to exercise more. She is not fat yet, but if things keep going the way they are she will be. No exercising, no bike riding, just video games. And she’s allowed to eat what she likes and nothing else.
This is tough for us too! Sports can be a good way to get a child active, as well as activities like gymnastics and dance. Modeling good behavior helps too. If you can get your grandchild to exercise with you, the child is more likely to ask their parents to give them chances to be more active. I encourage anything with music. Time limits on TV and video games help. You can find lots of ways to get kids active by looking at the Let’s Play initiative on the First Lady’s website.

Doctor, breast-fed toddlers whine sometimes when they aren’t given any milk. But this is a critical bone development time. Should they be given milk?
Although milk is an easy way to give calcium, it’s not the only way. A diet full of calcium fortified drinks (almond milk, orange juice) or foods such as green, leafy vegetables are full of calcium. Vitamin D is hard to get in a diet (even with cow’s milk) so I recommend that all children take vitamin D supplementation of 400 IU daily.

I have a step daughter from a my previous marriage and she’s 13 and quite over weight. My sons and I are worried but the mother doesn’t seem to care. How can I help get the process of losing weight started?
Sports can be a good way to get a child active, as well as activities like gymnastics and dance. Modeling good behavior helps too. If you can get your grandchild to exercise with you, the child is more likely to ask their parents to give them chances to be more active. I encourage anything with music. Time limits on TV and video games help. You can find lots of ways to get kids active by looking at the Let’s Play initiative on the First Lady’s website as well as obesity management on aap.org.

My granddaughter, who is 10, is awake every morning about 3am with a throw up feeling.
there are many possibilities for this. Probably the most common cause of this would be reflux. She should be evaluated by her doctor for a more comprehensive examination.

I have pain in my lower back and right hip. It hurts more while I sit. What could be the cause ?
It could be a number of things, nerve related, bone related or muscle related. I would recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor.

I am diabetic and a smoker last time I visited the doctor was through the ER they told me I had a right lung nodule. What should I do next?
Lung nodules are very serious. This should be followed up on right away with your doctor, who should order a CT scan of your lung to determine size and risk for serious disease.

My name is Leanna. I am 18-years-old and I have a lot on my plate for my age. I’m stressed out all the time and I can’t eat. Why is it that I don’t eat when I’m stressed? and even if I do I wanna go throw it up afterwards?
Stress and anxiety can cause problems with appetite and intestinal function. The reason is that the hormone that is released when you are stressed also works in the intestines also.

I am obese and a Chrohn’s patient. What diet will work for me. What about surgery?
If patients can lose weight without surgery, that is always preferred. Many Crohn’s patients have found success with a gluten free diet. Remember that exercise is also an important part of weight loss. In addition, I would also recommend talking to your doctor about what the appropriate amount of calories would be for you to have daily to encourage weight loss.

Please ask the doctor about screening for autism. When should it be done and what ar some of the signs of autism. Thank you.
Screening for autism should be done during your child’s well visits. Typical time frames for screening are between 9 and 12 months old and again around 18-24 months old. The early signs of autism include poor eye contact with caregivers, lack of interest in others (such as not looking at other children playing or not paying attention to what parents point out) and delays in language.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America is endorsed by so many celebrities like Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lopez and more for good reason. It’s a place that many of those celebs learned life, sports, and social skills as young people. Olympian Jackie Joyner Kersee is no exception. The gold medalist in the pentathlon was a member growing up and she’s involved in the Clubs to this day.

She’s part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s latest initiative to encourage families to be healthy and fit. The fourth annual Triple Play Fit Challenge culled five families who made significant changes in their lifestyle down from 200 families from the Boys and Girls Club around the country for a competition and talent show in Los Angeles. In addition to the all expenses paid trip to L.A., and other prizes, the winning family will receive another trip to the U.S. Olympic Training Facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

During the Winter Olympics coming up this February in Sochi, Russia, there will be several track athletes like sprinters turned bobsledders Lolo Jones and Lauryn Williams that have made the transition from summer to winter sports. Kersee, once viewed as the best female athlete in the world says that while she’s participating in some of the events surrounding the upcoming Games, she was never tempted to be a winter sports athlete.

“At one time, I was asked, but I wasn’t familiar with it and I was more afraid of the cold weather with of my asthma,” says Kersee. “I’m sure I could have, but I was trying to make sure I kept my asthma under control. Even now with the crazy weather in the E. Saint Louis area, it would trigger it. It’s great that the track and field athletes can move over the bobsledding event and bring a lot of recognition to it. It’s great for those that are able to do it.”

Former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin has a new gig. The nation’s head doctor is on her way to Xavier University to continue her mission to improve public health.

“As you know I’m a longtime champion of the power of prevention and it was the foundation of my work as Surgeon General,” Benjamin told The Tom Joyner Morning Show. “I want to continue and further that mission. As I often say I’ve stepped away from the position of Surgeon General but not the mission.

To continue that mission, I’ve accepted the endowed chair at Xavier University. It’s the NOLA.com/Times Picayune chair for Public Health Sciences. This endowed chair will allow me to help form and shape the future of public health care professionals.

Since I was there 30 years ago, Xavier has been renowned for getting the most African-Americans into medical school and graduating from medical school and helping other health professionals such as physics and biologist get Ph.D’s around the nations. So I’m really excited about working with young people. And it’s also going to allow me to promote public health around the country and internationally as well.”

While serving as Surgeon General from 2009 to this year, Benjamin was able to accomplish the following:

She helped spearhead a public health prevention strategy, something she said had been necessary for the past century. The National Prevention Council, drawn from Cabinet heads including Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency, helps provide direction to assist in preventative health measures.

Helped put together the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, an aggressive campaign to prevent suicide among all age groups.

Released My Family Health Portrait, which encourages families to go online to share family health histories during family gatherings.

Benjamin stepped down as Surgeon General in June. At that time, she issued an email to her staff that read in part:

“My goal was to create a grassroots movement, to change our health care system from one focused on sickness and disease to a system focused on wellness and prevention. With your help, that movement has begun,” Benjamin wrote.

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/09/16/regina-benjamin-nations-top-doc-heads-to-xavier/feed/0Regina-Surgeon-General-APbawtonyapendletonMarijuana Pill May Be Better For Pain Reliefhttp://blackamericaweb.com/2013/04/24/marijuana-pill-may-be-better-for-pain-relief/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/04/24/marijuana-pill-may-be-better-for-pain-relief/#commentsWed, 24 Apr 2013 10:18:03 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=118793According to a study by Columbia University marijuana pills provide stronger pain relief than when a person smokes the drug.

The pill is called Dronabinol, it consists of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the main ingredient in marijuana.

Reportedly, the pill has been proven to provide relief for AIDS and chemotherapy patients.

The researchers studied 30 patients, 15 male and 15 female. In one of the experiments, the patients stuck their hands in freezing water, it was found that more people who took the marijuana pill felt the pain later than those who didn’t.

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/04/24/marijuana-pill-may-be-better-for-pain-relief/feed/1AP-marijuana_5.jpgbawjazminependletonTiny Reveals Sex Of Tamar Braxton’s Babyhttp://blackamericaweb.com/2013/03/22/tiny-reveals-sex-of-tamar-braxtons-baby/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/03/22/tiny-reveals-sex-of-tamar-braxtons-baby/#commentsFri, 22 Mar 2013 13:19:40 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=111501Tameka ‘Tiny’ Harris may have slipped up and revealed the sex of Tamar Braxton‘s baby. The ‘Family Hustle’ star recently sat down with HipHollywood, and when asked what she knew about the baby, slipped up and revealed that Tamar and Vince are expecting a little boy.

I know everything about this baby. And I know…I was gonna say what it was. I know the baby’s name. Of course I know what it is, and I’ve seen HIS little face. She has a 4D picture…Oh.

The ‘Love & War’ singer recently confirmed her pregnancyand is in her last trimester.

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/03/22/tiny-reveals-sex-of-tamar-braxtons-baby/feed/1tiny-tamar-braxton4kierarantsSurgeon General Aims to Beat Heart Diseasehttp://blackamericaweb.com/2013/03/13/surgeon-general-aims-to-beat-heart-disease/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/03/13/surgeon-general-aims-to-beat-heart-disease/#respondWed, 13 Mar 2013 09:20:17 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=109142Have a question for the doctor? Text it to “646464” (OHOHOH).

No one really likes going to the doctor. There is always that fear your physician will find something wrong and if you are feeling some aches or pains, you hope you can ignore it and whatever it is will go away on its own, nothing more than a minor, passing inconvenience.

But ignorance is no excuse – especially when it comes to heart disease and African Americans.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. For African Americans, nearly 45 percent of men and 47 percent of women have cardiovascular disease.

There are several risk factors that can lead to heart disease; a major one is high blood pressure. African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure and develop it earlier in life compared to whites and left unmanaged, it increases the likelihood of developing heart disease.

People with type 2 diabetes, often caused by poor diet, obesity and lack of exercise, also are at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. African Americans are 1.4 times more likely to develop diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. In the 65-74 age group, the risk is two-fold, according to the American Diabetes Association.

The National Stroke Association reports stroke is the fourth cause of death in the country, with more than 750,000 people experiencing a stroke annually. African Americans are two times more likely to die from stroke than any other racial group. Women of all races are more susceptible, with 55,000 more women suffering a fatal stroke each year than men. Statistics from the National Stroke Association show that 80 percent of strokes are preventable, with proper health care and a healthy lifestyle.

Diet, exercise, regular checkups are routinely recommended. But in case you missed the message the first dozen times, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin is calling on the public and health care professionals to join an effort to help African Americans stave off heart disease and related issues.

Million Hearts is a national initiative to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017, by educating the public and health care professionals and bringing together diverse partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke.

Benjamin says the good news is heart disease can be controlled – and even prevented – just by making gradual changes.

A healthy diet, with foods low in sodium and trans-fat like fruits and vegetables, is a big first step. Reducing sodium is critical because about 90 percent of Americans eat more sodium than they should. Generally speaking, black Americans should limit their intake of sodium to no more than 1,500 mg per day.

One way to gauge what you are ingesting is to eat less processed food and read the nutrition labels to see how much sodium is in a serving.

Other preventive measures generally recommended by health professionals include not smoking; limiting alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks a day for men; managing diabetes and monitoring blood sugar levels; keeping cholesterol levels in the healthy range; monitoring blood pressure and taking calcium and magnesium supplements, minerals shown to be helpful in controlling high blood pressure, one of the strongest risk factors for stroke.

If you already have high blood pressure, follow doctor’s orders, whether it is making dietary changes and getting more exercise or taking prescribed medication regularly and as directed.

The Affordable Care Act makes preventive services such as blood pressure and cholesterol screening, smoking cessation, and obesity counseling more accessible than ever and at no out-of-pocket cost to millions of Americans with private health insurance or on Medicare.

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/03/13/surgeon-general-aims-to-beat-heart-disease/feed/0Regina-Surgeon-General-APbawgetwellwednesdayStudy says Sex is the Cure to Migraineshttp://blackamericaweb.com/2013/03/07/study-says-sex-is-the-cure-to-migraines/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/03/07/study-says-sex-is-the-cure-to-migraines/#respondThu, 07 Mar 2013 13:31:32 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=107764If you suffer from pounding migraines, sex might be the perfect cure for you according to a German study.

According to the Journal of the International Headache Society, who questioned 800 migraine sufferers and 200 headache sufferers about their struggles; over half of them claimed that after having sex with their partners their pain subsided.

Researchers believe the sex allows endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killers, to be released into the body which helps to reduce the migraine or headache pain.

They wrote, “Our results show that sexual activity during a migraine attack might relieve or even stop an attack in some cases, and that sexual activity in the presence of headache is not an unusual behavior.”

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/03/07/study-says-sex-is-the-cure-to-migraines/feed/0sb10063626bc-001bawjazminependletonListen to Your Heart: Dr. Annabelle Volgman Says Black Women Should Take Heart Health Seriouslyhttp://blackamericaweb.com/2013/02/19/listen-to-your-heart-dr-annabelle-volgman-says-black-women-should-take-heart-health-seriously/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/02/19/listen-to-your-heart-dr-annabelle-volgman-says-black-women-should-take-heart-health-seriously/#commentsWed, 20 Feb 2013 01:00:20 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=102837Annabelle Volgmansays too many women feel ignored or dismissed by their doctors and the need for a place where they felt they could be taken seriously was a major impetus behind the Rush Heart Center for Women.

Volgman, who is the center’s medical director, has published numerous articles about women and heart disease and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Council of WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. WomenHeart is the nation’s only patient-centered organization supporting the 42 million women living with heart disease. The non-profit charity also provides all of these services for free.

“In 12 years of practicing cardiology before opening the Rush Heart Center for Women the message I heard from my patients was their doctors didn’t listen to them. Some women who came to Rush felt the doctors made a conclusion about what was wrong with them the minute they walked through the door. They were diagnosed, not with a problem with their hearts, but rather with a problem in their heads,” Volgman told Today’s Chicago Woman.

“Many women were told not to worry about their hearts since the problem was most likely just stress or anxiety. In my practice, 95 percent of these women turned out to have heart conditions, which were often missed by the previous doctors. It’s no wonder there have been more women than men dying from heart disease since 1984.”

According to the American Heart Association, every minute in the United States, someone’s wife, mother, daughter or sister dies from heart disease, stroke or other form of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

A third of women, overall, and nearly half of black American women are living with CVD. Heart disease death rates have declined steadily over the last 25 years for men, but the decline has been significantly lower for women, the AHA said.

Dr. Rachael Ross is worried about the state of male-female relationships, based in part on a conversation with a teenaged patient who told her, when asked if he had a Valentine, that he liked a girl well enough for sex, but not enough for a relationship because “these girls be on them games.”

The image of Valentine’s Day is that of romance, flowers, candy and true love, but Ross said she feared that is not the growing trend.

“The future of male/female relationships appears to be headed in a terrible direction…it’s on a downward spiral,” Ross said in a recent Facebook post.

Ross is known as a no-holds-barred speaker known who openly discusses relationships, sex, health, abstinence &/comprehensive sex education for teenagers, and HIV/AIDS prevention.

For Valentine’s Day, she is interested in helping to keep romance alive and to show young people there is more to sex than just a hookup.

Ross has said there is so much pressure on men and women to find the perfect gift on Valentine’s Day that they sometimes miss the opportunity to just talk with their partners and understand their emotional and mental needs, as well as their sexual ones.

Valentine’s Day isn’t necessarily all about expensive gifts or romantic getaways. Romance on a budget forces lovers to be more creative: one bar of high-end chocolate rather than a full box of mid-level or cheap candy; a homemade card; a walk in the park or a trip to a special museum exhibit; lunch at a romantic place rather than dinner or a voucher for a household chore or a night of wild pleasure to be redeemed when the partner is in the mood.

“Whether you’re married, dating or stepping out on a loved one, you’re looking for pleasure. There are safe and healthy ways to enjoy your partner – so why not take your relationship to a new level on a day created to celebrate love?” Ross said in a statement about Valentine’s Day a few years ago.

The author of “Down Right, Feel Right. Outercourse For Her & For Him,” has suggested that committed couples take a step outside of their comfort zone to spice up their romantic life. Dating couples may want to push the envelope a bit when it comes to sex.

“Let’s face it,” Ross said, “we’re all so busy that Valentine’s Day, birthday and anniversary gifts end up being rushed and put together at the last minute. It’s not too late to make it right for this year.”

But Austin, author of a new book, “5 Steps to the Hollywood A-List Smile,” wants the average person to be educated about the importance of good dental health, as well as a winning grin.

Austin, who also is a highly sought-after dentistry expert and motivational speaker, created an educational program and dental consumer self-help guide and was the first dentist in the country to also offer HIV testing to patients during routine dental checkups.

Her attention to health issues beyond dentistry is warranted.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, oral health is related to other conditions, including stroke, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and certain forms of cancer. Sometimes a dentist can detect a problem during a routine checkup before the symptoms become apparent to you or your physician.

The academy reported that even though approximately three out of four Americans suffer from some form of gum disease – from mild cases of gingivitis, to the more severe form known as periodontitis – only about three percent seek treatment for their gum disease.

Forty-eight percent of lower-income Americans (i.e., those who report household incomes of less than $20,000), according to one study, said they had not seen a dentist in the previous year. Further, one in eight Americans reports having difficulty with normal daily activities because of problems with his or her mouth, teeth and gums, according to the study, and half of Americans said they were currently experiencing one or more oral health conditions.

Community clinics and dental schools often offer low-cost options for those who put off going to the dentist because they lack health insurance. The academy also offers a free online risk assessment test.

“I work tirelessly, tirelessly to get information out…there is connection with your dental health and your overall health and my message and my passion is to get you guys to understand that and to know why it’s so important to go to the dentist,” Austin said when she was honored in 2010 with a BOSS Network award at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club in New York.

“And while it’s sexy to work with the entertainment industry,” Austin said, “my passion is to let you guys know that I am here for you.”

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/02/05/want-that-celebrity-smile-ask-dr-catrise-austin-dentist-to-the-stars/feed/0catrise-austin-660bawgetwellwednesdaySeven Steps to a Healthy Hearthttp://blackamericaweb.com/2012/12/25/seven-steps-to-a-healthy-heart/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2012/12/25/seven-steps-to-a-healthy-heart/#respondWed, 26 Dec 2012 03:12:01 +0000http://blackamericaweb.com/?p=84563There is an old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is a message that B. Waine Kong takes to heart.

The psychologist and contributing editor and consultant for Black Health Matters believes that black Americans should receive great medical care when warranted, but that it is more important to teach those who are not affected by disease to prevent it and reduce their individual risk factors.

As BlackAmericaWeb.com has pointed out before, black Americans have poor health outcomes in nearly every major disease indicator, either being at higher risk for developing a disease or being more likely to die from it.

Carolle Jean-Murat, a renowned gynecologist, noted healer and shaman writes that for years she repressed the rituals, beliefs and spiritual grounding of the Voodoo tradition with which she was raised.

Eventually, though, Jean-Murat began to incorporate the traditions into her healing practice.

She also spent 25 years writing “Voodoo in My Blood: A Healer’s Journey from Surgeon to Shaman,” a memoir that explains that Voodoo is not the black magic, animal sacrificing, pin-sticking dolls experience that informs the stereotype of Voodoo.

Jean-Murat grew up in Haiti during the 1950s through the repressive reign of “Papa Doc” and “Baby Doc” Duvalier, which divided her family between the educated elite and the practitioners of Voodoo, which was illegal at the time after the Catholic Church was declared Haiti’s official church.

Over time, however, Jean-Murat said, experiences with Voodoo ceremonies stuck with her and she turned to it more and more to help her work and personal life. Voodoo was finally declared legal in 2003.

Jean-Murat settled in San Diego after undergoing training in Haiti, Mexico, Jamaica and post-graduate training in Wisconsin. She quickly developed a reputation as an exceptional ob-gyn, but for years she never shared that whenever a patient entered her office, she could intuitively see the cause of the problem, even before conducting an examination.
She felt uncomfortable trying to make her intuitive powers fit in with Western medicine and eventually quit the traditional practice and created the Dr. Carolle’s Wellness and Retreat Center of San Diego. Her practice has expanded to include female veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sexual trauma during their tours of duty.
Jean-Murat also provides free gynecological care to Haitians and to underserved women through Catholic Charities and the St. Vincent de Paul Village, as well as Native-American Health programs.

In 1993, Jean-Murat also founded the Health Through Communications Foundation and its Angels For Haiti Project to provide the undeserved with education and health-care. For details, visit http://www.HealthThroughCommunications.org.

Researchers at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) are exploring a number of ways to stop the disease in its tracks and develop treatment options for young children diagnosed with the ailment.

A disease that primarily affects black Americans, sickle cell disease is caused by a recessive trait in which blood cells are crescent shaped, rather than flat discs. Patients often suffer painful attacks that affect the long bones and the chest and can last from several minutes to days at a time.

The cancer specialist with The Sacred Heart Cancer Center in Pensacola, Florida, lost her mother to breast cancer while McLeod was in medical training at Meharry Medical College.

McLeod’s personal loss drove her to promote education and awareness in the local community and she is involved in and an advocate for national clinical breast cancer trials.

She has got her work cut out for her.

Black women are less likely than white women to get breast cancer, but when they do they are more likely to die, especially women under 50 years of age.

Black women under the age of 50 have a 77 percent higher mortality rate from breast cancer than other women of the same age.

A study by scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill schools of Public Health and Medicine, and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, found that younger, pre-menopausal black women are more prone to an especially aggressive type of cancer with a shorter survival rate.

Researchers are looking at a wide array of possible causes, from biology, to genetics ties, to environment in an effort to come up with successful drugs and treatment plans.

Clinical trials, with representative samples of black American women, provides crucial information for scientists into what does and doesn’t work and why. One size does not fit all in cancer treatment and in order to save black women’s lives and improve their health, their participation in medical trials is critical.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated more than 26,000 black women would be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among black women. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, surpassed only by lung cancer.

The ACS recommends that the best preventive strategy for women is to reduce known risk factors as much as possible by avoiding weight gain and obesity (for postmenopausal breast cancer), engaging in regular physical activity, minimizing alcohol intake and consider the increased risk of breast cancer associated with a combined estrogen and progestin menopausal hormone therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes.

But it’s not just a matter of access to health care. Even after accounting for income and access to strong health care outcomes for African American women are poorer than for white women, even as the ACS reports some narrowing of the disparity gap.

The conventional wisdom for women, generally, has been that all women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every one to two years, and that women over 20 should have a clinical breast exam every three years and should perform monthly self-exams.

Considering the more devastating potential for black women, however, many health professionals now recommend black women:

• Perform self-examinations monthly, starting at age 20.
• Have a clinical breast exam done by their doctor at least once a year
• Have at least one mammogram between the ages of 30 and 35, then one every one to two years until age 50, when it should become an annual event.
• If your mother or sister had breast cancer, you should consider having regular mammograms before the age of 30.

For more information about breast cancer, see the American Cancer Society publication Breast Cancer Facts & Figures, available online at cancer.org.

Every year as the holidays approach, we go one of two ways: We either vow to eat less, eat healthier and be more mindful of our choices; or we jokingly pronounce all holiday meals devoid of calories and fat and just tuck in everything that comes our way. After all, we can always use our New Year’s Resolutions to promise we’ll get back into shape, right?

Cardiologist Kota Reddy wants to remind us, especially this month, Diabetes Awareness Month, that changing a few habits will help us live healthier, happier and more productive lives without diabetes.

Reddy, founder of Reddy Cardiac Wellness and author of the book, “Eat This – Lose That,” contends that prevention is easier than treatment and that if people knew what to eat or not eat, along with a healthy, active lifestyle, reduces the risk of contracting diabetes.

That’s a recipe lots of people may be willing to follow.

After all, according to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org):

• 3.2 million, or 13.3 percent, of all African Americans aged 20 years or older have diabetes.
• African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.
• Twenty-five percent of African Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have diabetes.
• One in four African American women over 55 years of age has diabetes.

Not only are black Americans more likely to have diabetes, but the complications from the disease strike disproportionately as well. Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of blindness, kidney disease and amputations for African Americans.

Last year, Reddy conducted a free study with 500 patients. During the study, he reported, group members successfully lost weight, reversed diabetes and no longer needed medication. Participants had an average weight loss of 25-50 pounds over 90 days.

The patients were given Reddy Bread, a recipe formulated by Reddy designed not to prevent participants’ sugar levels from rising. The pita-style bread contains soy flour and flaxseed, which contain polyunsaturated fats that help lower the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, as well as omega 3 fatty acids that help protect the heart and reduces the levels of triglyceride in the bloodstream.

In October, Reddy saw a television news story out of Houston about a 550-pound man with a host of health challenges that left him unable to walk or exercise. He called the station and offered his assistance to the man.

Reddy has said dietary adjustments, fewer carbs and Reddy Bread would likely help the man lose up to 50 pounds in the first month of the program.

The Sugar Land, Texas cardiologist is scheduled to appear on the Tom Joyner Morning Show on Wednesday to share details about Reddy Bread, and his popular diet.

To contact Dr. Reddy, call publicist Elisabet Gonzalez-Barranco at 832-893-9256 or email the doctor at dr.reddytalktv@gmail.com.

Fruits, veggies and whole grains aren’t just for the birds; they’re for the bees, too.

According to an article on Mother Nature Network, foods that are good for your heart are also good for your sex life and the same foods that clog arteries and contribute to heart attacks also slow your roll in the hay.

Carrots, avocados, watermelon, greens (cooked without the fatback), nuts, figs, yams and spices like nutmeg and turmeric and other foods that help promote weight loss can also help boost your libido.

Further, foods with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, including, mackerel, salmon and wild salmon, enhance circulation and get blood flowing to all the critical places when you are ready to get busy.

Heavy foods like steak and greasy fried foods actually slow blood flow, which can contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED). They also contribute to obesity, another risk factor for ED.

“If the body is spending its time and energy cleaning itself constantly from these chemicals we put in it, it cannot begin to perform at its peak sexually,” Brian Clement, Ph.D., L.N.C., co-director of the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach and co-author with his wife of “7 Keys to Lifelong Sexual Vitality,” told Mother Nature Network.

“One-third of young marrieds have fertility problems today and instead of seeing men with performance problems at age 70 the way we did a few decades ago, we now see it at age 40,” Clement said. “Fifty percent of 40-year-old men cannot perform.”

And think you can compensate for a bad night with Viagra? That may not be your smartest move in the long run.

Clement said the No. 1 user group for Viagra is not middle-aged men over 50, but men 20-28. But he warned the drug can overstimulate the libido and by the time those men reach their 30s or 40s, they may have difficulty performing because they abused the drug.

Bummer.

Nationally known Dr. Rachael Ross, a medical doctor with a PhD in sexology, said as men age they also can be at risk of andropause – frequently referred to as male menopause – which results in a diminished sex drive and ability to perform.
Some men experience weight gain, reduced muscle strength and bone density, hair loss, decreased energy, and even hot flashes and those conditions can be exacerbated by excessive drinking, obesity, smoking and lack of exercise.

A low-fat, high-fiber diet, exercise and cutting back on alcohol and caffeine are recommended.

“Male menopause is often described as a mid-life crisis. You may see a man whose personality begins to change … a man who typically chased women and who was very driven by sex and sexuality become less interested in the opposite sex.
He may become fatigued or depressed and have added girth around his stomach,” Ross told andrology.com. “He may also experience erectile dysfunction and gynecomastia, an increase in breast tissue.”

That may not all be related to diet, but eating the wrong things can make a bad situation worse.

The Clementses recommend avoiding fatty meats, like bacon and sausage, which are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, most cheeses, processed baked goods that contain trans fats, and soy-based products, which are high in estrogen and can lower male sex drive and increase the risk of disease and testosterone in women.

Looking for a better lover? You might want to chat up that vegetarian you’ve been teasing for not putting any meat on her plate.

Every year as the holidays approach, we go one of two ways: We either vow to eat less, eat healthier and be more mindful of our choices; or we jokingly pronounce all holiday meals devoid of calories and fat and just tuck in everything that comes our way. After all, we can always use our New Year’s Resolutions to promise we’ll get back into shape, right?

Cardiologist Kota Reddy wants to remind us, especially this month, Diabetes Awareness Month, that changing a few habits will help us live healthier, happier and more productive lives without diabetes.

Reddy, founder of Reddy Cardiac Wellness and author of the book, “Eat This – Lose That,” contends that prevention is easier than treatment and that if people knew what to eat or not eat, along with a healthy, active lifestyle, reduces the risk of contracting diabetes.

That’s a recipe lots of people may be willing to follow.

After all, according to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org):

• 3.2 million, or 13.3 percent, of all African Americans aged 20 years or older have diabetes.
• African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.
• Twenty-five percent of African Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have diabetes.
• One in four African American women over 55 years of age has diabetes.

Not only are black Americans more likely to have diabetes, but the complications from the disease strike disproportionately as well. Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of blindness, kidney disease and amputations for African Americans.

Last year, Reddy conducted a free study with 500 patients. During the study, he reported, group members successfully lost weight, reversed diabetes and no longer needed medication. Participants had an average weight loss of 25-50 pounds over 90 days.

The patients were given Reddy Bread, a recipe formulated by Reddy designed not to prevent participants’ sugar levels from rising. The pita-style bread contains soy flour and flaxseed, which contain polyunsaturated fats that help lower the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, as well as omega 3 fatty acids that help protect the heart and reduces the levels of triglyceride in the bloodstream.

In October, Reddy saw a television news story out of Houston about a 550-pound man with a host of health challenges that left him unable to walk or exercise. He called the station and offered his assistance to the man.

Reddy has said dietary adjustments, fewer carbs and Reddy Bread would likely help the man lose up to 50 pounds in the first month of the program.

The Sugar Land, Texas cardiologist is scheduled to appear on the Tom Joyner Morning Show on Wednesday to share details about Reddy Bread, and his popular diet.

To contact Dr. Reddy, call publicist Elisabet Gonzalez-Barranco at 832-893-9256 or email the doctor at dr.reddytalktv@gmail.com.